Recovery: How NBA Lottery Teams Can Make the 2013 Playoffs

There are 14 NBA teams that will take part in the 2012 NBA draft lottery. While these teams represent the worst of the NBA this year, at least record-wise, for some, it will not take that much to get back into the playoffs.

The Charlotte Bobcats finished the season with the league's worst record. In fact, they had the worst winning percentage ever. But that alone does not assure them the overall No. 1 selection.

Two teams actually have two lottery picks—Portland Trail Blazers and the New Orleans Hornets—so they have the opportunity to add two of the top players in the nation, which should greatly help their chances at improving.

But living in the lottery each year is no way to run a business. You risk alienating your fans—assuming you actually have any after years of putrid basketball—and free agents won't be knocking down your door.

So for these teams, the expected payoff is improved performance for the 2012-13 NBA season.

Let's take a look at what needs to happen for these teams to return to viability.

Charlotte Bobcats

Were the Bobcats the worst NBA team ever last season? At least statistically they were. Charlotte ended its season 7-59, clinching the worst winning percentage in a season in NBA history. So the Bobcats need everything.

The good news, however, is that Charlotte is guaranteed one of the top four picks in the 2012 NBA draft and has the best odds of landing the No. 1 pick, which will most likely be Kentucky's Anthony Davis.

The first order of business is finding a head coach. The Bobcats are interviewing Michael Jordan's former on-court rival, Patrick Ewing, for the job. 

But what else can they do to improve? For starters, they had better draft the best player available. Again, if they win the lottery, that would probably be Davis. If not,Thomas Robinson of Kansas or Bradley Beal of Florida would provide immediate help.

Davis would team up with Bismack Biyombo to form a potent frontcourt.

Meanwhile, restricted free agent D.J. Augustin may need to leave to allow Kemba Walker to run the show.

But the playoffs? I'm no magician.

Washington Wizards

The Wizards need someone to complement former No. 1 overall pick John Wall. With Nick Young gone, Jordan Crawford is not the answer (although he provides scoring off the bench) for a team looking to make the playoffs. Wall needs a running mate. In the draft, Beal would be an obvious choice, though they may not be in position to land him.

But even if they can't land the shooting guard they need in the draft, they could sign free agent Eric Gordon, if healthy. Gordon has various ways to score, including his outside shot or driving in the lane. O.J. Mayo is another RFA shooting guard who might help.

With someone to complement Wall, the Wizards could have one of the top backcourts in the NBA. Thus, opposing teams would not be able to put all their attention on Wall when he drives the lane because he would have someone to dish out to. 

Cleveland Cavaliers

While the post-LeBron James era hasn't been kind, at least Cavs owner Dan Gilbert is optimistic about his team's chances to make the 2013 playoffs. And he has a point—until injuries hit, Cleveland was in the thick of it through the All-Star break.

For that to happen, they need to stay healthy and avoid another late-season collapse. The Cavs ended up losing 20 of their final 25 games last season.

Also, Tristan Thompson and Kyrie Irving need to take that next step in their development.

The draft should really help Cleveland. While it has only a 13.8 percent chance of winning the lottery, it can select no lower than sixth. It also has the 24th, 33rd and 34th selections in the draft.

But it needs more offense. Antawn Jamison will be leaving, so that frees up $15 million. About $26 million should be more than enough to get a shooting guard and big man.

New Orleans Hornets

The Hornets are one of two teams to have two lottery picks in the draft, so they should be in position to improve just based on the draft alone. While they have something good with Eric Gordon, they need more athleticism.

No matter what they do, it would be a hard sell for me to try and create a scenario where New Orleans makes the playoffs next season. But players like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Kentucky), Andre Drummond (UConn) and Austin Rivers (Duke) will be on their wish list.

They have roughly $19 million under the cap to play with—not including Gordon. Speaking of Gordon, the Hornets should really consider signing him to an extension.  

Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings could use better outside shooting, as they were in the bottom five for shooting percentage in the league last year and last in three-point percentage. Teams collapsed on defense in the paint, but if Sacramento had good outside shooters, the offense would naturally open up more.

Sacramento also needs an athletic big man who can contribute immediately to pair up with DeMarcus Cousins.

Kansas product Thomas Robinson would be a great fit, but Sacramento will need to have one of the top picks to get a shot at him. Ohio State's Jared Sullinger is probably the next-best alternative for the Kings, though he may not have the upside of a Harrison Barnes or Bradley Beal.

The Kings need to trade Tyreke Evans, who is a ball hog, and get Cousins the ball. They are roughly $14 million under the cap, so they could add a quality free agent if they want.

Portland Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers may lose forward Nicolas Batum, who, according to HoopsWorld, is interested in the Spurs. Fortunately for Portland, it has two picks in the draft.

It needs a point guard and an athletic wing player, and it could also use a center, as Greg Oden is done.

But, as one of the two teams with multiple lottery picks in the draft, Portland is in position to make the 2013 playoffs if it drafts wisely.

Golden State Warriors

First, the Warriors should start by getting a new head coach. As for the players, Klay Thompson is a good start, but they need a big man who can bang under the glass.

Andris Biedrins completely collapsed this season, so they need to find a center to upgrade with. Battling injuries, Biedrins appeared in just 47 games. 

Meanwhile, getting Stephen Curry healthy would really help this team. He had right ankle surgery for the second time in less than a year.

Better health from Andrew Bogut would be nice as well.

 

Toronto Raptors

The Raptors need to improve their shooting on the perimeter and could also use an athletic big man. They like Florida's Bradley Beal, but if he isn't available, they could go for a point guard like UNC's Kendall Marshall.

Meanwhile, Toronto will be adding last year's first-round pick, Jonas Valanciunas, to the mix. He will team up with former No. 1 pick Andrea Bargnani, so it could have an athletic and talent-laden frontcourt. That is, assuming it drafts someone like Drummond or Davis. But it would have to win the lottery to do that.

It would also love a small forward with shooting range. To me, Harrison Barnes makes sense for it.

But one thing Toronto must desperately do is play better defense. It needs to find players who want to play defense—it is as much about desire as it is anything else.   

Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons can start by using the amnesty on either Ben Gordon or Charlie Villanueva and letting Brandon Knight start full-time.

Then, they need to draft a forward or shooting guard.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks should start by trading their point guard, Brandon Jennings. Also, a full year from Monta Ellis will help.

In the upcoming draft, GM John Hammond should go after a forward or dominant big man.

Phoenix Suns

The Suns are close to being a playoff team, as they just missed the playoffs, finishing at 33-33 this past season. But they need to get younger at the wing and guard positions.

Like so many others, they could also use a dominant big man.

But the biggest thing they need is for owner Robert Sarver to step up and spend some money.  

Houston Rockets

The Rockets seemed like a playoff team all season, but barely missed the playoffs, finishing ninth and two games back of the No. 8 seed Utah Jazz. To return, they need a solid draft.

They had a big hole when Yao Ming retired, so they should draft a center. The 6'11" Tyler Zeller out of UNC should fit the bill. But they could also take a power forward like Jared Sullinger.

One risky move they could make is to break with their long-held game plan and offer the Pacers big man, Roy Hibbert, a max contract. Only a max deal will lure him away from Indiana. And they need Goran Dragic to return.

Marcus Camby wants to re-sign, so that should help, and they should also try and keep Courtney Lee.

A season that began with guard Kyle Lowry playing at an All-Star level ended with him getting ready for offseason surgery. So getting the PG healthy is key.